PD and SD - Disney Classes Edition Part 2

(The Following are all Please do's)
If you are doing the Disneyland program, where you don't have a choice but to take classes, this is especially important for you.

If your deciding to take multiple classes, consider the following...

1) What times your classes are?

Your bosses have to give you the time off for your classes and give you ample time to get to class on time or get to work on time (depending on the situation). For many, this means that class days typically end up as your day off. That's how it was for me. And because of the time of my classes and my unique job, I could never pick up shifts on my day off. For some of you that's no big deal but for me that was very annoying sometimes.


2) What days your classes are?

When I was choosing my classes, I thought it would be a good idea to put both of my classes on the same day. In my head it made sense because it would be one day a week that I was guaranteed off. However, that plan quickly backfired on me.

First, I was waking up in the 7am hour on my off day to be professionally dressed and relatively groomed to be at class by 8am. That was rough. Then when that class was over I had about a 2 1/2 hour break before my next class. It turned out to not really be enough time to do anything significant like grocery shop or explore somewhere. If I had a car it might have been different but changing clothes then walking to the store or waiting for the bus to go to the store, then coming back, changing again and booking it to my second class in Patterson... just never seemed like a good idea to me.

So that break turned into nap time with maybe some apartment cleaning. Then i would go to my next class (Adv studies in Hospitality Mgt) located in Patterson (I lived in Chatham). That class went from 1:30pm to 5:30pm!!! It was soooo long. I found it to be great information but my body was just not happy to try and focus on classes for that many hours a day. And I already graduated college so i wasn't getting any credit for these classes. They were just for fun and more information.

Well eventually (about 3 classes in) I realized that I didn't want to spend my typically only off day of the week sitting in classes all day. So, I ended up dropping the really long class and keeping the early exploration series course. It guaranteed that i would be up early on Wednesdays, be done with class by 10am and would still have a huge part of my day to do whatever I wanted (aka visit parks/resorts)

I say all of that to say, be wise when choosing what days and times to have your classes. You know yourself better then you give yourself credit for. If you are doing the Disneyland program, where you dont have a choice but to take classes, this is especially important for you.

3) How much total homework is required of me?

Because I only ended up taking one of the Exploration Series classes, I didn't have homework. They would occasionally ask us to keep something in mind for next week or look at something on a website, but no papers or outside group projects.

Read the syllabuses for the classes before you register for them. See the amount of homework and tests you will have to complete and make sure it is a workload you are willing to complete.

Here is the link to the DCP Course Syllabi

Why you should wear your Alumni Tshirt to the Parks

When I first got my Alumni shirt I was super excited!... but I had a hesitation.

I was struggling with feeling so cliche and over the top by deciding to blatantly identify myself as a former cast member. I told myself that I would not be that person. I would wear my shirt as a "chill" shirt around town but would never wear it to the parks.

Then people started posting pics of themselves in a Disney park wearing the shirt on Facebook... and as much as it is my nature to not bandwagon things, I simply couldn't resist!

And I am completely glad I did! You should do it too and here is why.

1) It was a free Disney shirt! It's no different than if you were to buy a shirt in the park and then wear it in the park that day or the next. We wear Disney shirts simply because it's a Disney shirt. #culture

2) We should all have pride in the fact that we were chosen to be a part of the college program. A lot of people don't get the opportunity we had. We did it and stuck it out to finish the program. That's an accomplishment

3) It's a way to connect with others who maybe did a different program then you. I had several people stop me and ask when and where did my program. We sparked a conversation and it was really nice to meet more people.

4) It's an excuse to tell someone about the program. Many have heard about it briefly but still have questions. You have now become a level of expert in all things DCP related. And you get to share some of your favorite memories

5) You could learn something new. You might meet someone who did the program more recently then you and has the inside scoop on what's new with the programs and at the parks. Maybe you'll even get to see some pictures. (if your not already stalking websites, podcasts, and Facebook pages for all that info)

But I will warn you of a few things as well...

1) You are representing the program when you wear that shirt. If you enjoyed it and want others to enjoy it as well then you are still responsible for setting an example in the parks. You can't go around acting a fool and being disrespectful to people and cast members while wearing the shirt. First of all, that's just bad behavior to begin with, secondly it's just tacky!

2) People will talk to you. If you aren't feeling like talking to random people that day, probably not the shirt to wear.

3) If you post your picture on the Alumni Facebook page, your phone will blow up with notifications. We are a supportive group and we like that you wear your shirt so tons of people will probably like your pic. (my friend posted her's and got likes 61 likes in the first hour)

Overall I say enjoy it, embrace it, don't be ashamed. Wear it with pride! Take your pic, post it, and let us all celebrate your glorious return to the homelands with you. 

Please Do's and Seriously Dont's - Disney Classes Edition

There comes a time where all DCPer's have to start thinking about the option to take a Disney class. This was something that I was personally really interested in because I felt like it would be a great extra experience to add to my disney experience and personal knowledge. But before you get really committed (like past the drop out period) I have a few tips for you.

 Here are some things that I think would be wise of you to consider if you have ever though about taking a Disney Course.